Best News & Entertainment '24

Maryn Blignaut

Education: BA in Communication Science, University of South Africa (2012–2016), AFP Digital Investigation Techniques (GNI, 2023), Google News Initiative training (2024), Thomson Reuters Foundation AI Adoption Training and WAN-IFRA Women in News Programme (2025)

Experience: Briefly News (2017-present)

Awards: - Best Appealing Storytelling: Highest Average Pageviews, 2023 by Briefly News - Awarded the 2023 Gender Mainstreaming Award (Empowerment of Women in the Community) as part of the Briefly News team

Maryn Blignaut is the Editor-in-Chief at Briefly News, with nine years of experience in digital journalism. She holds a BA in Communication Science from the University of South Africa (2016) and specialises in digital storytelling and feature writing. She has completed advanced professional training in media and innovation, including the AFP Digital Investigation Techniques course, multiple Google News Initiative programmes, Thomson Reuters AI Adoption Training, and the WAN-IFRA Women in News leadership programme. For enquiries, contact maryn.blignaut@briefly.co.za

1170 articles published since 30 Oct 2017

Author's articles

Top 10 places for expatriates to live in 2021, South Africa out of it

Top 10 places for expatriates to live in 2021, South Africa out of it

Business and Economy

5 years ago

Leicester City apologises to Chelsea over Daniel Amartey's act of 'disrespect'

Leicester City apologises to Chelsea over Daniel Amartey's act of 'disrespect'

Sports

5 years ago

Usain Bolt pens lovely message to daughter Olympia on her first birthday

Usain Bolt pens lovely message to daughter Olympia on her first birthday

People

5 years ago

Girl, 17, found alive on boat wandering at sea for over three weeks

Girl, 17, found alive on boat wandering at sea for over three weeks

World

5 years ago

Kevin Hart in stitches over 7-month-old daughter's reaction during video call

Kevin Hart in stitches over 7-month-old daughter's reaction during video call

Entertainment

5 years ago

A peek inside Benni McCarthy's life with his wife and kids: "My everything"

A peek inside Benni McCarthy's life with his wife and kids: "My everything"

South Africa

5 years ago

Meet the African-born genius and lead, 21, behind 'weird-looking' electric car in Turkey

Meet the African-born genius and lead, 21, behind 'weird-looking' electric car in Turkey

People

5 years ago

A young innovative man has been praised online owing to his engineering ingenuity. The genius led a team of engineers that designed an electric car in Turkey.

Grandma melts hearts online as she gifts granddaughter cash, many react

Grandma melts hearts online as she gifts granddaughter cash, many react

People

5 years ago

A granny has got people talking on social media after a photo of her giving her granddaughter money emerged. Many instantly fell in love with the cute photo.

Law graduate hits the street with placard and CV in search of job, photos go viral

Law graduate hits the street with placard and CV in search of job, photos go viral

People

5 years ago

A female law degree holder has caused a stir as she recently took to the street in a job-hunting effort with a placard and also her CV. She said it is plan C.

Jaden Smith to open restaurant that will give free meals to homeless people

Jaden Smith to open restaurant that will give free meals to homeless people

Entertainment

5 years ago

The restaurant will offset costs by making those who can pay for food pay a higher price so as to “pay for the person behind you”. Read more on Briefly News.

SA born billionaire Dr Patrick Soon-Shiong giving Mzansi R3bn to produce vaccines

SA born billionaire Dr Patrick Soon-Shiong giving Mzansi R3bn to produce vaccines

People

5 years ago

Billionaire Dr Patrick Soon-Shiong, a former Eastern Cape resident and Wits graduate, is donating R3 billion to South Africa to produce more Covid-19 vaccines.

Strength of a woman: Young mom vents about struggles with breastfeeding twins

Strength of a woman: Young mom vents about struggles with breastfeeding twins

World

5 years ago

When Lola Marie gave birth to twin daughters four and a half months ago, nothing would have prepared her psychologically for the exhaustion from breastfeeding.

Mathias Edor: Meet the 25-year-old doctor, author of 7 books & founder of a church

Mathias Edor: Meet the 25-year-old doctor, author of 7 books & founder of a church

World

5 years ago

Dr Mathias Edor graduated as a medical doctor from the University of Ghana. He is the founder of Fruitful Hill Church at Legon. He also authored seven books.

Elizabeth Amoaa: Meet the lady who has 2 female reproductive organs

Elizabeth Amoaa: Meet the lady who has 2 female reproductive organs

People

5 years ago

Elizabeth Amoaa was born different with 2 wombs, 2 cervixes & 2 vaginal canals. Her story was featured on Born Different and British Army Wives network event.

TV Host Ellen DeGeneres to end her talk show after 19 seasons

TV Host Ellen DeGeneres to end her talk show after 19 seasons

World

5 years ago

The news comes several weeks after it was reported that Ellen lost exactly one million viewers despite having apologised following claims of toxic workplace.

Maryn Blignaut